Eight Arab and Islamic countries: Rejection of occupation undermines 'Gaza plan'

Washington – Agencies: The foreign ministers of eight Arab and Islamic countries held Israel “responsible for obstructing efforts aimed at restoring peace in the Gaza Strip and the occupied Palestinian territories.” In a joint statement by the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Pakistan, Indonesia, Turkey, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, it was stated that the eight foreign ministers “condemn Israel’s explicit rejection of the roadmap to complete the implementation of US President Donald Trump’s comprehensive plan to end the conflict in Gaza, which was endorsed by United Nations Security Council Resolution 2803, as well as Israel’s rejection of the establishment of a Palestinian state.” The statement added that “these Israeli positions constitute a direct rejection of the comprehensive plan, threaten its implementation, and fundamentally undermine collective efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace.” The statement continued that this rejection confirms “that Israel now bears responsibility for obstructing efforts aimed at restoring peace in Gaza and the rest of the occupied Palestinian territories.” The joint statement called on the United States to pressure Israel, adding, “The ministers emphasize the importance of continued active US engagement to ensure and compel Israel to fully comply with the commitments and arrangements stipulated in the comprehensive plan and its roadmap, and to prevent any further obstruction to their implementation.” The ministers also reiterated “the urgent need for the full and immediate implementation of the comprehensive plan, which will contribute to addressing the dire humanitarian situation, ensuring security and stability for all in Gaza, and paving the way for reconstruction and recovery, and advancing toward a just and lasting peace based on the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and the establishment of their state in accordance with international law, thereby paving the way to achieve security and stability for all countries and peoples in the region.”